But to PETA, animals living and thriving in human care might actually be a fate worse than death. An attorney representing PETA argued as much in open court about elephants being brought to zoos. PETA President Ingrid Newkirk has said that in her vegan utopia pets “would be phased out.” Whether it is PETA’s intent or not, PETA’s animal shelter is keeping up its part of that desired phase-out.